Sticherus flabellatus is a yellow-green to green umbrella fern. It is found throughout New Zealand in widely scattered populations in coastal to lowland areas from North Cape to West Nelson and North Westland. It is probably most common on Great Barrier Island. It is common in Australia. It grows along steep-sided streams and on rocks within gorges. Spreads by creeping rhizome and has delicate umbrella shaped shiny foliage and with slightly toothed edges on the smallest parts of the fronds. The fronds are erect 1m tall, rather glossy above, dull below.